Colchester Beer Festival

Today I had a day out in Colchester to visit their 38th Real Ale and Cider Festival.

 

It is held in a fairly small venue, the Colchester Arts Centre and when I went to the Winter Beer Festival there in January on a Friday lunchtime, the place filled up and by 2pm they had removed all the tables and chairs. So I went on Wednesday this time, the first day of the festival and, fortunately, it wasn't as busy so I had a seat until I left to go home.

Here are a couple of photos.

I seem to have mislaid my beer list, but here as some of the beers I remember enjoying.

• Bartrams Red Queen (Amber IPA) 3.9%  - This was pleasantly malty. I was disappointed that the Coal Porter wasn't on yet. I was surprised to see Bartrams appears to be back in business. Or is it? The brewery filed for bankruptcy in 2017.  I wonder if this was made as a guest brew at another brewery.
• Castle Rock Brickyard Mild (Mild) 6% - Rather strong for a Mild! Deep ruby red with the scent of treacle toffee, and a whisper of vanilla. 
• Colchester Brewery Cenosillicaphobia (Bitter) 3.8% - A light brown session ale flavoured with English hops. The name, which is an entertaining recent neologism, means "The fear of an empty glass". Ho ho.
• Leigh on Sea Mayflower Best (Best Bitter) 4.0% - Usually only available at the pub it is named after. A good steady session bitter.
• Mersea Island Gold (Golden) 4.50% -  Pilsner-style. Very light in colour, sweet and refreshing.
• Portobello Tropical Crush (Golden) 4.4% - Quite fruity. A tsiff well hopped IPA, made with whole fruits sourced from traders at Portobello Market.
• Small Batch Project Mango Unchained (IPA) 4.8%. My favourite beer of the day. Very fruity with ripe mango and tropical fruit notes.
• Wantsum Black Pig (Porter) 4.8%.  Smooth with burnt chocolate and smoky malt notes. Lovely.

I had a convivial time with the various others who joined me at the table I was sat at, and headed back to the station for the 16:47 train. I will come on the first day again in the future.

Other related posts you can find on my blog include

• Colchester Wall and Gates (July 2023)
• Colchester Winter Ale Festival (Feb 2024)
• Colchester Winter Beer Festival (Jan 2025).